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9 Strange Signs of Iron Deficiency

Strange Signs of Iron Deficiency

Iron deficiency is a common issue. In fact, it is the leading vitamin deficiency worldwide. There are several reasons for this, from poor nutrition to congenital problems, but the signs of iron deficiency are the same regardless of the cause.

We are familiar with the more common symptoms such as fatigue and pale skin, but more subtle signs are often missed. Some of these are secondary signs caused by primary symptoms like those caused by fatigue, while others are directly caused by anemia.

If you’re worried about your iron level, here are the top 9 strange signs of iron deficiency.

common symptoms of anemia

1)    Smooth Tongue

A healthy tongue is covered in little bumps called papillae which are visible. Someone with an iron deficiency will experience swelling. This makes the tongue appear much smoother and glossier.

2)    “Spoon” nails

Most people know to look for blue or purple nail beds as a sign of iron deficiency, but there is another way our nails tell us we need more iron. Koilonychia or “spoon nails” appear as though the nail had been scooped out. This happens because the nails lose their volume and structure under conditions like anemia.

3)    Restless Leg Syndrome

This is a well-known condition that is not always associated with iron deficiency. RLS is as it sounds – you have the “need” to move your legs and feel crawling sensations along them. Despite the variety of possible causes, low iron is indeed one of them.

4)    Hair Loss

Have you been losing more hair than usual? This could be a sign of iron deficiency. The lack of iron in your blood causes it to prioritize your brain and core organs. With the blood supply cut off from the root, the hair falls out.

5)    Problems Concentrating

Fatigue doesn’t just cause physical weakness but also cognitive – the ability to concentrate for sustained periods of time and problem solve. Once again, the problem is blood oxygen levels. Without enough iron to produce hemoglobin, the oxygen level lowers considerably, leading to only prioritizing parts of the body deemed necessary for survival.

6)    Arrhythmia

While the body might want to prioritize the organ systems necessary for survival, low iron levels still lead to low blood oxygen. In severe cases, this can cause the heart to beat abnormally (arrhythmia). The heart’s job to circulate oxygenated blood throughout the body becomes more challenging, and the organ becomes strained.

7)    Depression

This may seem odd, but mental and physical health are inexorably linked. The weakness and inability to function normally lead to conditions like depression. While battling the constant physical strain of anemia, it’s common for your quality of life to decrease. The physical and circumstantial causes of depression feed off each other in a vicious cycle.

8)    Anxiety

Between the heart’s struggle to circulate oxygenated blood and the mental strain, it’s easy for anxiety to develop. Functioning on the same feedback loop as depression, anemia-related anxiety can spiral out of control fast.

9)    Pica

It’s impossible to discuss strange signs of iron deficiency without mentioning Pica. Pica is the insatiable craving for non-food items such as dirt and ice. While it seems unreal, it is a severe condition that can arise from an iron deficiency. Cravings for things like soil are caused by the body’s need for iron.

Avoid these Strange Signs of Iron Deficiency with Iron Catch

Anemia can be severe if left untreated, but too much iron also has drawbacks. This is why Iron Catch works differently than other iron supplements. Instead of depositing iron through the pill, Iron Catch enhances the body’s ability to absorb iron from your diet.

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How to Raise Iron Levels Quickly?

raise iron levels

Iron is an important nutrient responsible for the production of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin transports oxygen through the bloodstream via red blood cells.  This allows for regular organ functions and physical activity.

Iron deficiency lowers the production of hemoglobin which in turn transports less oxygen to the bloodstream. B12 and Iron deficiency cause anemia, which can be mild, moderate, or even severe. Mild to moderate anemia may not require hospitalization, but they do disrupt your life by causing fatigue. This leads many to wonder how they can raise iron levels quickly.

Understanding Iron

Before learning how to produce more iron quickly, it’s important to understand its role and the signs to look for indicating a need for increasing iron levels.

Iron is a complex nutrient that requires B12 and vitamin C to properly metabolize in humans. This means that stable iron levels achieved through nutrition require paying attention to other nutrients as well.

Most people can get adequate iron from their diets.  In cases where the diet is not enough, drugs or blood transfusions might be necessary.

However, while too little iron is dangerous, heightened iron levels lead to hemochromatosis.

iron in blood

Understanding Anemia

Low iron levels manifest in fatigue, weakness, and paler skin (than your usual healthy skin tone). At this stage concentration and other regular functions are disrupted. If you find your breathing is labored, and that your lips and fingernails are always blue, it may be the time to see a doctor.

Anemia and low iron levels are linked because a patient with anemia has too few red blood cells or hemoglobin. Raising iron levels can reverse adverse anemic symptoms depending on a patient’s medical history.

There are different types of anemia, though the most common and the one that raising iron levels resolve is Iron Deficiency Anemia.

So, How do I Raise Iron Levels Quickly?

If you determine you have an iron deficiency, there are several things you can do. Depending on the cause of anemia, the first approach should be a change in your diet. Following changes to your nutrition, it may be necessary to get a blood test and pursue further steps.

Diet

In cases of minor anemia, it can take 2-4 weeks to reverse the symptoms of anemia. While most people can get iron through their diets, vegetarians and vegans may have to be more intentional about ensuring they get enough iron and b12 in their diets.

Focus on iron-rich foods such as:

  • Leafy Greens (which are also often rich in Vitamin C)
  • Fortified cereals (look for ones that have B12 and Iron)
  • Apricots
  • Prunes and Raisins
  • Red Meat or Iron enriched meat substitutes
  • Tofu
  • Enriched Rice

Combine these iron-rich foods with peppers, eggs, tomatoes, and beans (or all of the above!) for a meal with iron and necessary B12 and Vitamin C.

Supplements

Oral supplements are a popular way to augment your diet when levels are low. There are traditional oral iron supplements, though they do risk hemochromatosis when taken with increased dietary iron levels. In addition, most of them can cause various side effects in the digestive system, like constipation, diarrhea, and nausea.

Other supplements include ones that affect metabolization. IronCatch supplement is iron-free but increases absorption of dietary iron. This reduces the risk of side effects and hemochromatosis while still raising iron levels quickly.

Appropriate Iron Levels are Required for Daily Function

Whether it’s increasing absorption from your diet, or taking a supplement, it’s important to know your body and see a doctor before pursuing oral supplements or injections.

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What Are the Causes of Poor Absorption of Iron?

Poor Absorption of Iron

“Why are you looking so pale?” – are you tired of being asked this question by whoever you meet these days? It’s time for you to go for a hemoglobin test. The one major reason behind noticeable paleness can be poor absorption of iron by your body.

But worry not! It’s a common condition. Despite making all the healthy lifestyle choices, many people suffer from this disorder, which is known as iron deficiency anemia in medical parlance. If you’re diagnosed with this blood disorder, you will have to undergo proper treatment and need to be careful about your diet to get back to the normal condition. 

Before going into the treatment options, let us tell you about the factors that cause this disorder.

Poor Absorption of Iron by Your Body

  • Malabsorption of iron is one of the major reasons behind iron deficiency anemia. Your body may fail to absorb a sufficient amount of nutrients from your food for several reasons.
  • As for iron, human systems are not made to collect iron directly from the consumed food. Your small intestine plays a vital role in absorbing iron and pumping it into your bloodstream, as Celiac diseases affect the intestine’s ability to take in iron from digested food.
  • Some people have their small intestines removed surgically. For example, in gastric bypass surgery, some parts of the intestine are removed. This interferes with this organ’s iron absorption capacity.
  • The use of medicines used to lower stomach acid for a prolonged period can also affect your body’s ability to absorb iron.
low iron diet

Other Causes

However, low absorption of iron is not the only factor leading to iron deficiency anemia. Here are some of the important reasons.

Low-iron diet

Depending on your age and gender, your body requires a certain amount of iron every day. Your body fulfills these needs from the food you eat. However, if your food contains too little iron content, you will experience an iron deficiency in the long run. Add plenty of leafy green vegetables and iron-rich fruits to your diet. Know about the Top 5 fruits with high iron levels here.

Injuries and blood loss

If your body suddenly loses a lot of blood through accident or other conditions such as peptic ulcer, uterine fibroids, hernia, or colon polyps, you can suffer from iron deficiency anemia. 

Pregnancy

During pregnancy, you are in the need of extra iron to support the growth of the baby. If your system does not get that extra amount of iron from food sources or supplements, you may become iron deficient.

Heavy period

It is common for women who have heavy periods to suffer from iron deficiency.

Treatment

Blood deficiency anemia is a treatable condition. The treatment begins with determining the cause of anemia. Accordingly, the measures are prescribed to prevent further loss of iron. Iron supplements are the traditional method to treat anemia, but their long-term use is not recommended. 

IronCatch, on the other hand, is a breakthrough method, widely used in treating anemia. especially the version caused by poor absorption of iron. This supplement with a proprietary formulation can accelerate iron absorption from your daily diet by up to five times.  And it does that without any side effects. If you are suffering from iron deficiency anemia, try this wonder supplement – it’s safe and effective.

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3 Iron Deficiency Symptoms and Causes

You’ve heard about it before: a lack of iron can cause health problems. But how serious are these health problems, and what are the specific symptoms?

The Basics: What Is Iron Deficiency?

Iron deficiency is when a person lacks the proper amount of iron needed to produce hemoglobin, an essential protein for red blood cell production. Without red blood cells, the body cannot deliver oxygen properly, so an iron deficiency can cause serious problems. People who develop long term iron deficiency become anemic.

Who Suffers from Iron Deficiency Symptoms?

Anyone can become anemic from a lack of iron intake. However, certain subgroups are specifically susceptible to the condition.

Young children develop quickly and require lots of food with high nutritional input. According to the World Health Organization, almost 50% of the world’s children are anemic due to a lack of iron in their diet.

Next, pregnant and childbearing women often suffer symptoms of anemia. They become anemic due to the child’s demands on their blood supply. Pregnant or childbearing women must compensate for the child when planning a diet.

Lastly, people who suffer from chronic illness or blood-related health complications are more likely to suffer from iron deficiency symptoms. These individuals are predisposed to the ailment due to frequent blood loss or other conditions.

low iron symptoms

The Symptoms:

1.     General Fatigue

People suffering from anemia often express a feeling of perpetual exhaustion. This feeling becomes overwhelming when performing everyday tasks or when the individual is completely rested. This exhaustion or weakness is noticeable and causes sufferers to gradually become more sluggish.

In this situation, the brain isn’t receiving enough oxygen to feel awake. Instead, oxygen levels are lower, making the body feel sleepy and causing light-headedness when the body is exerted.

2.     Pale Skin, Cold Hands and Feet

Without normal hemoglobin levels, the body’s blood flow is interrupted. It’s unable to deliver the normal amount of blood that heats and allows the body to function normally. The hands and feet are first to feel cold, as they are the furthest from the heart, which delivers oxygenated blood. People develop pale skin when too little blood is flowing to their heads.

3.     Fast or Irregular Heartbeat

The disruption of hemoglobin will affect cardiovascular activity. Sensing a lack of oxygen in the body, the brain will send messages to the heart to pump more blood to the body. This signaling sends the heart into overdrive so it can provide the body enough oxygenated blood.

What’s the Solution?

Increased iron intake is a start. But many people don’t realize that a lack of Vitamin A in their diet contributes to iron deficiency anemia. Vitamin A increases iron absorption and is key to relieving common symptoms of anemia.

IronCatch is the first all-natural, iron-free solution to improving iron absorption. The treatment is proven to decrease symptoms of anemia and raise overall iron absorption. Iron Catch is the perfect way to decrease symptoms of anemia while increasing overall iron absorption.

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How to Raise My Iron Levels Quickly?


Low iron is one of the most common mineral deficiencies around the world today. It can lead to a slew of symptoms, including fatigue, headaches, shortness of breath, and paleness. Iron deficiency progress through several stages of increasing severity, eventually requiring medical attention. If you’re asking yourself “how to raise my iron levels proactively,” there are a few steps you could take today.

How to Raise My Iron Levels With Supplements

One of the quickest methods is to take iron supplement pills. Iron supplements are easy to find at pharmacies, grocery stores, and health centers. Many complete multivitamin solutions also include supplementary iron. Physicians typically recommend High-dose iron supplements for those suffering from moderate symptoms or after blood loss. People who want to know how to raise their iron levels because they’re experiencing mild symptoms can try a lower dose supplement.

Some of the higher dose supplements can carry several side-effects, including nausea. This is why these pills are better for short-term treatment of severe cases, not an ongoing solution. Many low dose supplements include other vitamins in minerals intended to improve iron absorption. IronCatch is one such supplement, increasing iron absorption without any side effects. Their formula of fish oligosaccharides, vitamins, and minerals helps your body make the most of the iron you’re already getting from your diet. You’ll have several times your initial iron absorption within just 30 days of taking this supplement.

raise low iron levels

How to Raise My Iron Levels With an Iron-Rich Diet

Ideally, a person should receive all of the vitamins and minerals they need from a balanced diet. This isn’t always realistic, and tracking micronutrients can be difficult. Many people supplement their diets with everyday multivitamins to make up for any deficiencies. The primary source of dietary iron is meat. This is the reason that many vegetarians suffer from anemia and require iron supplements.

The iron that comes from red meats, fish, and poultry is called haem iron. It is different from the iron that is present in grains, vegetables, and fruit. Your body is about twice as efficient at absorbing the haem iron from meats as it is at absorbing other iron. When a diet has no meat, it’s hard to balance the iron deficiency with non-haem iron. Some good non-meat sources of iron include beans, pasta, cereal, cauliflower, and cabbage.

Additional Options to Raise Your Iron

There are a few other methods for those who wonder how to raise my iron levels. Using a cast-iron skillet for cooking is one of these methods. Iron from the skillet transfers into the food you cook. This effect is more pronounced when cooking acidic foods, like pasta sauce. Humanitarian efforts take advantage of this effect by distributing pieces of iron to third world countries to be left in cooking pots.

You can try avoiding coffee and tea with meals. They contain tannins that inhibit your body’s ability to absorb iron. If you wait several hours after eating to have your coffee, you can avoid this effect. Some other foods can avoid that can inhibit your iron absorption, spinach and high-fiber foods. Your body can only absorb so many minerals at once. Calcium and zinc provide competition for iron, so taking multiple mineral supplements at once can be counter-productive.

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Most Common Side Effects of Iron Supplements

Most-Common-Side-Effects

Iron is a crucial mineral the body needs to make red blood cells. When people’s iron stores are too low, they become anemic and begin experiencing symptoms of tiredness or weakness. People who are pregnant, menstruating, or experiencing blood loss are at higher risk of becoming iron deficient. Medicines to increase the body’s iron store can be prescribed by a doctor or purchased over the counter.

Iron Supplements

People suffering from iron deficiency anemia often take supplements to alleviate their symptoms. There is more than one type of supplement, and they can be taken by people with anemia or at risk of developing anemia. A few of these supplements include ferrous gluconate (medium strength tablets), ferrous fumarate (high strength tablets or syrup), and ferrous sulfate (high strength tablets).

Iron supplements are necessary for people suffering from iron deficiency anemia, but they often have negative side effects. Let’s look at some of these side effects. Afterward, we will explore some alternatives to common ferrous-based supplements.

Iron Supplement Side Effects and How to Avoid Them:

 The main side effects attributed to supplements usually subside after your body adapts to the medicine. However, it is common for people to feel the following symptoms after taking a supplement:

–   Upset stomach

–     Nausea

–      Stomach pain

–     Diarrhoea

–   Constipation

These side effects are normal – however, patients should contact a healthcare professional if they feel concerned about their reaction. It’s possible to overdose, so people should avoid taking too much of these supplements. Iron overload disorder is completely avoidable and very dangerous to the heart, liver, and pancreas.

Preventing Side Effects with Proper Dosage:

Side effects from supplements usually subside as time passes. However, there are some steps people can take to diminish the negative effects. For instance, people should always follow the dosage amount recommended by the supplement supplier.

Be aware that both men, women, adults, and children all have varying recommended dosages. Pay close attention to the dosage stated on the supplement label to avoid any dangerous mistakes. If you are unsure, consult with a healthcare professional to determine what dosage is best for you.

Alternatives to Traditional Supplements:

Obviously, one of the simplest ways to increase iron intake without the help of supplements is eating iron-rich foods such as meat. Meat projects increase iron stores and iron absorption. Additionally, it is essential that people monitor their vitamin C intake, as this vitamin drastically affects iron absorption.

Without the correct amount of vitamin C, people are unable to absorb iron from food. Therefore, it’s crucial to eat a regular helping of foods like oranges, leafy greens, sweet potatoes, broccoli, red bell peppers, and strawberries. These foods are vitamin C rich and help your body absorb iron from the food you eat. Lastly, there is a new, iron-free supplement from Iron Catch that show significant results for people with anemia within 30 days. Iron Catch comes with no adverse side effects, making it an attractive choice for people considering iron supplements.

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Taking Supplements – Is It Good Or Bad?

Contrary to popular belief, popping supplements is not the key to staying healthy. It may come as a shock to many that these ‘healthy’ supplements also come with their own harmful side effects. 

Dietary supplements are flooding the supermarket shelves; people are buying these over-the-counter medicines by the dozen. There’s something for every deficiency a human can complain of – pop a vitamin C or zinc tablet if you feel you are not able to see properly, swallow iron pills if you are looking pale or have low hemoglobin levels, take calcium to keep your bones strong, scarf up on fish oil capsules to reduce the threatening triglyceride levels and so on!

best iron supplement

Indeed, the combination of vitamins, minerals, herbs, amino acids and enzymes are being hailed as the passport to living a long and healthy life, free of heart disease and other chronic ailments. To give them their due, supplements can help balance out nutritional deficiencies in the body and keep you healthy. While some deliver vital substances to the body, some can even reduce the risk of certain diseases.

However, most people are blissfully unaware of the vitamin D, folic acid, probiotics, calcium and iron supplement side effects. A recent study by the American Association for the Study of Liver Disease and the National Institute of Health reveals that herbal and dietary supplements’ induced liver injury accounts for 20% of cases of hepatotoxicity in the United States!

Indeed, the beneficial-sounding dietary supplements are not without their own side effects. Let’s take a look at some of them:

  • While supplements can help cover deficient nutrients in the body, they cannot become a replacement for a healthy and balanced diet. Eating a variety of nutritional foods is crucial.
  • Some supplements can cause a serious reaction or illness in the body. Some can cause complications during surgeries or even reduce the effectiveness of chemotherapy. They can prove dangerous for pregnant women and children.
  • Especially combining supplements or taking them along with some medications (heart disease, blood thinners, diurectics, steroids) can prove to be harmful or even life-threatening.
  • Substituting supplements for prescription medicines are bound to lead to grave consequences.
  • Too much of a nutrient is also not a good thing as they are not naturally eliminated from the body.  Excess vitamin A can cause headaches, liver damage and even birth defects. Surfeit of calcium and vitamin D may increase the risk of kidney stones. Extra iron can lead to nausea, seizures, coma and even death.

Therefore, self-diagnosing or relying on the internet for taking ‘appropriate’ supplements is not advisable. Do not trust claims like ‘lowers high cholesterol’, ‘reduces blood pressure’ or ‘treats heart disease’ either.

Think twice before popping the pills into your mouth. Consider the potential benefits, safety risks, proper dosage and duration for taking the supplements. It is always better to run the supplement by your healthcare provider and find out if it is actually beneficial and safe for you! In such a scenario, the best iron supplement can be the one that does not contain iron at all. Indeed, Iron Catch (www.iron-catch.com) is an innovative supplement that simply enhances the body’s ability to absorb iron, thus restoring the depleted iron stores in the body. It is therefore free of the common side effects associated with regular supplements!